Cat Town Café is a feline-friendly haven

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a number of women play and photograph cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a number of women play and photograph cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. This may just be the beginning of this country's cat cafe craze as others plan on opening soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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﻿Dawn Piper moves in to take a closer look at a pair of cats in a tower at the Cat Town Café in Oakland, Calif.﻿

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat climbs onto a woman sitting on the floor at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat climbs onto a woman sitting on the floor at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat sits in a tower and watches visitors to the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat sits in a tower and watches visitors to the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat sleeps on a rug as Donna Garrett, left, and Adam Myatt, right, check their email at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Similar to concepts in Asia & ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat sleeps on a rug as Donna Garrett, left, and Adam Myatt, right, check their email at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Similar to concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. Similar cafes are planned to open soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, Jo Anne Driscoll, left, and Peggy Harding, right, watch others play with cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Similar to cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, Jo Anne Driscoll, left, and Peggy Harding, right, watch others play with cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Similar to cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the care has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. This may just be the beginning of this country's cat cafe craze as others plan on opening soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat climbs on the back of Megan Ledet, left, as Christina Souza, right, looks on at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Pouncing on similar cafe concepts in Asia ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat climbs on the back of Megan Ledet, left, as Christina Souza, right, looks on at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Pouncing on similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, Cat Town Cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. Similar cafes are planned to open soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a man passes by and looks in the windows of people playing with cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a man passes by and looks in the windows of people playing with cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. Similar cafes are planned to open soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, signs are posted at an entryway into the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, signs are posted at an entryway into the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. Similar cafes are planned to open soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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Café patrons can grab a cup of coffee and cat-themed cookies while mingling with﻿ cats from a local shelter.

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat climbs onto a woman sitting on the floor at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat climbs onto a woman sitting on the floor at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, Dawn Piper moves in to take a closer look at a pair of cats in a tower at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Pouncing on similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, Dawn Piper moves in to take a closer look at a pair of cats in a tower at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Pouncing on similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat sits in a tower and watches visitors to the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat sits in a tower and watches visitors to the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat sleeps on a rug as Donna Garrett, left, and Adam Myatt, right, check their email at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Similar to concepts in Asia & ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat sleeps on a rug as Donna Garrett, left, and Adam Myatt, right, check their email at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Similar to concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. Similar cafes are planned to open soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a man passes by and looks in the windows of people playing with cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a man passes by and looks in the windows of people playing with cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. Similar cafes are planned to open soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

16 of 20

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, signs are posted at an entryway into the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, signs are posted at an entryway into the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. Similar cafes are planned to open soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, Jo Anne Driscoll, left, and Peggy Harding, right, watch others play with cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Similar to cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, Jo Anne Driscoll, left, and Peggy Harding, right, watch others play with cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Similar to cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the care has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. This may just be the beginning of this country's cat cafe craze as others plan on opening soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

18 of 20

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat climbs on the back of Megan Ledet, left, as Christina Souza, right, looks on at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Pouncing on similar cafe concepts in Asia ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a cat climbs on the back of Megan Ledet, left, as Christina Souza, right, looks on at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Pouncing on similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, Cat Town Cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. Similar cafes are planned to open soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, coffee mugs are shown for sale at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, coffee mugs are shown for sale at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. Similar cafes are planned to open soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

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In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a number of women play and photograph cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's ... more

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, a number of women play and photograph cats at the Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, Calif. Following similar cafe concepts in Asia & Europe, the cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Cafe customers pay to pet cute kitties while sipping on tea or expresso drinks. It allows customers, who may not be able to have cats in their own homes, to enjoy the benefits of furry friends for short times without the responsibility. The animals come from a partnership with a local animal shelter and are also available for adoption. This may just be the beginning of this country's cat cafe craze as others plan on opening soon in Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Photo: Eric Risberg, STF

OAKLAND, Calif. - Cat lovers in Northern California are pouncing at the chance of spending time with feline company at a new cat café in Oakland.

Cat Town Café is giving dozens of visitors a chance to mingle with furry friends while sipping coffee and nibbling on cat-themed cookies.

The café opened last month and has been full since opening day. It was inspired by the cat-café craze in Japan, where many people live in cramped high-rise apartments that don't allow pets.

But while in Japan making feline friends became popular therapy for lonely or anxious workers, at the Oakland coffee shop the focus is on the cats.

The tuxedo, orange tabby and Siamese cats napping or stretching in the sun in Cat Town come from a local shelter and are available for adoption.

"Most of them have been at the shelter for four months or more. So as much as this is a super-fun experience, it's really a mission-driven project to get the cats out of the shelter and into great homes," said Ann Dunn, founder of Cat Town Oakland, a nonprofit group that helps place cats least likely to be adopted from the Oakland Animal Shelter.

She said there were 14 adoptions in the first 12 days.

For a $10 donation to the organization, visitors get one hour of kitty company in the café, where they can play with felines, get a back or stomach kneading session, and watch them nap. Each person is given a designated time window to make sure there are not too many people at once in the room with cartoonlike, bright murals of cats.

Cat naps are very popular at the café, but Christina Souza, who visited the café one recent afternoon, didn't seem to mind.

"I think it's fun. It's great. It's exciting. Why not have more venues where cats can let out their fun personalities?" Souza said.

Cat cafés are now open in London, Vienna and Paris. Cat Town founders believe their coffee shop is the first of its kind in the United States. That may change soon as a half dozen new cat cafés are set to open in the U.S. next year, most of them along the West Coast.